Jason Copping Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Honourable
Jason Copping
Office:Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Calgary-Varsity
Term Start:April 16, 2019
Term End:May 29, 2023
Predecessor:Stephanie McLean
Successor:Luanne Metz
Office1:Minister of Health
Term Start1:September 21, 2021
Term End1:June 9, 2023
Premier1:Jason Kenney, Danielle Smith
Predecessor1:Tyler Shandro
Successor1:Adriana LaGrange
Office2:Alberta Minister of Labour and Immigration
Term Start2:April 30, 2019
Term End2:September 21, 2021
Premier2:Jason Kenney
Predecessor2:Christina Gray
Successor2:Tyler Shandro
Party:United Conservative
Residence:Calgary, Alberta

Jason Copping is a Canadian politician who was the minister of health for Alberta from September 21, 2021, to June 9, 2023. Elected in the 2019 Alberta general election to represent the electoral district of Calgary-Varsity, Copping is a member of the United Conservative Party (UCP). He previously was the labour and immigration minister from April 20, 2019, to September 21, 2021.

Background

Before his election to the legislature, Copping worked in the transportation sector as a human resources and labour relations manager. He holds a Master of Industrial Relations (MIR) from Queen’s University and a master's degree in law with a specialization in labour and employment law from Osgoode Hall, York University.[1] [2] Mr. Copping also worked as a sessional instructor for several years at both the University of Calgary as well as the University of Lethbridge.[3]

Political career

Copping was elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) following the 2019 election, representing the United Conservative Party.[4] Copping served as minister of labour and immigration from 2019 to 2021, before he was named minister of health in 2021, swapping portfolios with Tyler Shandro, who then took over as labour minister.[5]

On January 17, 2022, Copping announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19.[6]

As a legislator, Copping has advanced several pieces of legislation as their sponsor.[7] During his time as Minister of Health, he sponsored the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act[8] which removed from the government the ability to strike down its master agreement with doctors.[9] In addition, he also sponsored the Continuing Care Act[10] which aimed to provide consistency of standards in supported living and long-term care settings.[11]

In the 2023 Alberta general election, Copping was defeated by New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate Luanne Metz.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Minister of Health. 2022-01-18. www.alberta.ca. en-CA.
  2. Web site: Jason Copping, MIR '94 Employment Relations . 2022-01-18 . Queen's University.
  3. Web site: Member Information: Jason Copping . 2023-04-04 . www.youcount.ca.
  4. Web site: 2019-03-17. Alberta election: Calgary-Varsity results - Calgary. 2019-04-17. Globalnews.ca.
  5. Web site: 2021-09-21. Tyler Shandro resigns as Alberta health minister, moves to labour and immigration. 2022-01-18. Calgary. en.
  6. News: Dormer . Dave . January 17, 2022 . Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping positive for COVID-19 . . May 30, 2023.
  7. Web site: Member Information: Jason Copping . 2023-04-04 . www.assembly.ab.ca.
  8. Bill 4, Alberta Health Care Insurance Amendment Act, 4th Sess, 30th Leg, Alberta, 2022 (assented to 15 December 2022).
  9. News: Johnson . Lisa . December 5, 2023 . Alberta health minister tables legislation to reverse government power to scrap doctor contracts . . May 30, 2023.
  10. Bill 11, Continuing Care Act, 3rd Sess, 30th Leg, Alberta, 2022 (assented to 31 May 2022).
  11. News: French . Janet . March 28, 2022 . Proposed legislation would bring Alberta continuing care under one set of rules . . April 4, 2023.
  12. News: Aldrich . Josh . May 30, 2023 . Smith loses several big names in election despite earning majority . . May 30, 2023.